... Despite opening with a set of fast "crooked reels" (those with extra beats), most of Dark of the Moon unfolds with an unhurried pace and stylings that showcases the musicians' considerable talents but is never pretentious. Larsen, who is a scholar of music as well as one of North America's finest Irish flute and whistle players (and Sing Out's music editor), has mined tunes from various players and regions. For instance, he and League go to Donegal for "Petticoat Loop," to Cork for the jig "Child of My Heart," and Galway for "Michael J. Kennedy Schottisches." For the pure beauty of doing small things well, it's hard to top the flute/bodhrán duet "The Gold Ring," Larsen's amazing breath control on "The Cat That Ate the Candle," or League's gorgeous guitar solo on the summer solstice carol "Thugamar Fein an Samhradh Linn." There are only a couple of Larsen originals, but each is a delight, especially "The Slopes of Mount Storm," whose gliding flute notes evoke childhood sledding memories. Add some fine harmonium work from Larsen and concertina from both players, and let the quiet music play. The roar will be from applause.